Another fun way to solve the problem where:x + 3y = 18, and2x + y = 11, is to put them into their slope intercept form and then plot the respective equations coordinates on graph paper. Remember that the slope intercept format is: y = mx + b, where y is a dependent variable, x is the independent variable, m is the slope of the line, and b is the y-intercept, the x-intercept can be calculated by solving the equation when y = 0. Here goes:x + 3y = 18, 3y = -x + 18, y = -1/3 x + 6, so here's what we know: the slope is -1/3 (meaning that the slope is very gentle where the rise is negative 1/3 and the run is 1) , the y-intercept is 6, the x-intercept is 18. Graph it. Second equation: 2x + y = 11, y = -2x +11; we know: the slope is -2, (rise is negative 2, run is 1, so a steeper slope) y-intercept is 11, x-intercept is 5.5. Graph it on the same graph paper. Determine point of intersection: (3,5)
